Rafa Benitez has handed NUFC fans a huge boost ahead of tomorrow’s crucial game against Watford, declaring that Mikel Merino is now fit and ready to start after a month on the sidelines.

The Spaniard has fast become one of our most influential players and his presence and quality in the midfield has been sorely missed over the past few weeks.

Merino’s last contribution for NUFC was his match-winning header in the 1-0 win over Palace last month, and it’s no coincidence that we’ve went on to lose three games on the spin in his absence ever since.

Here’s what Rafa had to say in his press conference today, confirming that Merino is available and ‘ready to start’ tomorrow”

“Merino is available & is ready to start if necessary, which is good with Hayden’s suspension.”

This really is a timely boost for us and, aside from a potential takeover, this is the news we’ve been hoping to hear all week as far as events on the pitch are concerned.

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This stat sums up just how important he is to us – hopefully this shows once again tomorrow: